The 2013 Investigator Award has been presented for the study, “The effectiveness of motivational interviewing to improve adherence to glaucoma treatment in patients of African descent.”

The Prevent Blindness America Investigator Awards are research grants presented annually to scientifically-based studies that seek to end unnecessary vision loss. To date, Prevent Blindness America has awarded more than $1 million to eye and vision research projects. A panel of experts coordinated by the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) made the final selection.

“Once vision is lost to glaucoma, it cannot be restored,” said Hugh R. Parry, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness America. “It is our hope that through our support of Dr. Racette’s important study, that we can help to minimize the risk of blindness from this disease by working with patients to better understand their needs and help encourage compliance to prevent the needless loss of sight.”

Glaucoma is an eye disease that causes a gradual degeneration of cells that make up the optic nerve, which carries visual information from the eye to the brain. As the nerve cells die, vision is slowly lost, usually beginning peripherally. Many cases of glaucoma can be controlled and vision loss slowed or halted by treatment. However, those of African descent are at a much higher risk for developing the disease, about six times as likely, and are also at higher risk to become blind from it.

According to Dr. Racette, this high-risk population is also less likely to adhere to continued medical treatment for the disease. The purpose of the study is to investigate whether motivational interviewing can be used as an effective approach to improve adherence to treatment. Motivational interviewing attempts to elicit from each patient the strategy that is most likely to ensure that they will adhere to their treatment regimen.

“The support of Prevent Blindness America provides an outstanding opportunity to improve adherence to treatment in a high-risk population, thus preserving sight and reducing a significant health disparity,” said Dr. Racette. “I also want to give special thanks to Silvia Bigatti, PhD, for her contribution to this promising study.”

For more information on the Prevent Blindness America Investigator Awards, or for free information on glaucoma, please call Prevent Blindness America at 1-800-331-2020 or visit preventblindness.org/glaucoma.